Cu Chi Tunnels, Cao Dai Temple & Ba Den Mountain Day Trip

Summary

Wartime tunnels, temple prayers and cable car views near Saigon

You’ll crawl through history at Cu Chi Tunnels with a local guide, taste wartime cassava and tea, witness midday prayers at Cao Dai Temple’s riot of color, then ride a cable car above endless green to Ba Den Mountain’s summit Buddha. Expect raw moments—quiet reflection after dark tunnels or laughter over lunch—and leave with Vietnam’s layers under your skin.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely stepped out of the van near Cu Chi when our guide, Minh, handed me a piece of steamed cassava and grinned — “This is what the fighters ate.” It was still warm in my palm. I tried a bite (kind of earthy, not bad actually), and Minh told us stories about the tunnels before we even saw them. There was this quietness under the trees, broken up by distant bird calls and the sound of someone’s sandals scraping on gravel. I didn’t expect to feel nervous watching that old black-and-white documentary about the war — but it got under my skin.

Walking through those narrow passages at Cu Chi Tunnels felt unreal. The air was thick and smelled faintly musty. At one point I hesitated at a trapdoor entrance — it looked too small for anyone but a child. Minh laughed and showed us how to slip inside (I tried, not very gracefully). Some folks crawled the 100 meters; I made it maybe 40 before popping out for fresh air. We sat together after with hot tea, wiping sweat from our faces, just listening to the leaves rustle overhead.

The drive out to Tay Ninh was longer than I thought — rice fields sliding past outside the window, sky getting hazier as we neared Cao Dai Temple. When we arrived, worshippers in white robes were already gathering for midday prayers. The temple itself is wild: dragons curling around columns, colors everywhere. Our guide explained bits of Caodaism — honestly I still don’t get all of it but watching everyone bow together was oddly moving. Li laughed when I tried to pronounce “Cao Dai” in Vietnamese; probably butchered it.

After lunch (simple but good — tofu with lemongrass sticks out in my memory), we took the cable car up Ba Den Mountain. The wind up there felt sharp compared to the heat below. You can see forever from that height: green stretching out toward Cambodia, little farms like dots far below. There’s this huge bronze Buddha at the top — people lighting incense quietly, kids chasing each other around the base. On the way down I realized how tired my legs were but also how glad I was that we’d done all three stops in one day… even if my shoes are still dusty from those tunnels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh

• Arrive at Cu Chi Tunnels
• Watch wartime documentary
• Tour underground tunnels and bunkers
• Optional 100-meter tunnel crawl
• Taste steamed cassava and hot tea
• Visit Great Cao Dai Temple
• Learn about Caodaism and Divine Eye
• Witness midday prayer ceremony (if timed)
• Take cable car up Ba Den Mountain

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels and Ba Den Mountain?

This full-day tour typically lasts around 10-12 hours including travel time between sites.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cu Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai Temple tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included for guests staying in Districts 1, 3, or 4 of Ho Chi Minh City.

Do you have to crawl through all of Cu Chi Tunnels?

No—crawling is optional and there are exits every 20 meters along the 100-meter tunnel section.

What kind of food is served for lunch on this tour?

The tour includes a Vietnamese set menu lunch; vegan options are available upon request.

Are entrance fees included in this day trip?

Yes—all entrance fees for Cu Chi Tunnels, Cao Dai Temple, and Ba Den Mountain are included.

Is there an extra cost for the Ba Den Mountain cable car?

The cable car ticket is not included; it’s an optional extra expense paid on site.

Can children join this tour?

Yes—children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult throughout the day.

Is public transportation available near these attractions?

Yes—public transport options exist nearby but hotel pickup is provided as part of the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes breakfast at a local spot before heading out from Ho Chi Minh City with an experienced English-speaking guide; hotel pickup (and drop-off in District 1); entry fees to Cu Chi Tunnels, Cao Dai Temple and Ba Den Mountain; Vietnamese set menu lunch with vegan options; steaming hot tea and tapioca snack at Cu Chi; bottled water; travel insurance; plus wet tissues for cleanup after crawling those tunnels—so you’re covered from morning until you roll back into town dusty but satisfied.